To Riverbeds and Blisters

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"How's Zaun been lately?"

Link sat at the bar counter, which had been wiped clean by Sevika with a rag. However, instead of looking shiny and new, the counter now appeared chaotic, with patches of dust and grime contrasting sharply with the clean spots.

"What do you think?" Sevika snorted, pulling out glasses and a bottle from under the counter. As she poured the drinks, she continued, "The chem-barons are at each other's throats, fighting over territory. It's gotten so bad they're practically beating each other's brains out."

"The mines are paying less and less, and more miners are losing their jobs. Many have lost their homes and are now wandering the streets with their families, trying to survive."

"Honestly, the Lanes and Zaun have never been this chaotic."

Sevika poured the golden liquid into the glasses. It was a fine rum from Bilgewater, part of Silco's old collection. But since he was gone, there was no point in letting it gather dust. Better to enjoy it now.

"Thanks—" Link covered his glass with his hand. "As a craftsman, I need to stay sharp and sober. I'll pass on the alcohol."

Sevika glanced at Link, put the bottle away, and pulled out a freshly opened carton of milk, pouring a full glass for Isha.

"Aren't you going to talk about yourself?" Sevika pushed the milk toward Isha, resting her intact right arm on the table, her eyes probing.

"Me?" Link shrugged, pulling out a few sticks of malt candy from his pocket and handing them to Isha. "What's there to say about me? Just a busybody running around trying to keep things stable."

"A busybody?" Sevika raised an eyebrow. "Busybodies don't bring Vander back. Even if he's... in that state." She took a deep breath, her shock and disbelief still lingering.

"Scared?" Link teased. Sevika shook her head. "No, not scared. I don't regret the decisions I made back then. But now, I understand how Vander must have felt."

Sevika lowered her voice. "It's hard to forge a path, but it's even harder to protect what you've built."

"Still, thank you," Sevika raised her glass, nodding slightly toward Link. "Thank you for bringing Vander back."

"Hey, you're quite the character," Link said, picking up his empty glass and clinking it with Sevika's. She gave him a look of disdain.

"You're really no fun."

"I've never been an interesting person. But maybe, in the near future, we can share a drink."

Link set down his empty glass and looked toward the back door.

The door opened, revealing Jinx, her tear-streaked face followed by Vander, who struggled to squeeze into the bar. Vander's massive frame made it impossible to enter normally. He had to lie on his side, maneuvering his head and shoulders through the door, then slowly inching his way inside until his entire body was in the bar.

Even then, he couldn't stand upright, forced to hunch over and shrink himself.

As soon as Jinx appeared, Isha slid off her stool and ran over, throwing her arms around Jinx. She held on tightly until she felt Jinx's hand pat her head, then looked up, grinning from ear to ear.

"I was only gone for a little while. Why do you act like it's been years?" Jinx pulled Isha to the bar, banging on the table. "Sevika, fill it up!"

"You should drink this instead," Sevika handed Jinx a glass of milk. Jinx pouted, staring at the milk, but when she saw Isha's glass, she wrapped an arm around the girl. "Fine, I'll give our little Isha some face today and won't mess with you."

Link glanced at Jinx. Though her eyes were still red, the usual edge of anger and gloom in her demeanor had softened significantly.

"Want a drink?" Sevika asked as Vander approached. She pushed a glass toward him. Vander crouched by the bar, surveying the tavern. Comparing it to his memories, he sighed. "Both the Lanes and this place have changed so much."

"You've changed too," Sevika shook her head, but then added, "But no matter what, it's good to have you back, Vander."

"Seems like you've had a rough time," Vander said, picking up the glass and sniffing the liquor. He let out a snort, which made Isha glance over, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement.

Jinx held Isha, winking repeatedly at Vander, chattering away about something. Link caught snippets like "fluffy," "bath," "bow," and "bed."

"After you left, Silco took over the Lanes," Sevika said, staring into her glass. "Those were glorious years. Even the topsiders had to give way to us in some areas."

"But after Silco was gone—" Sevika shook her head. "Hah, they're all shortsighted fools. All they care about is territory, violence, and gold. They've forgotten what Zaun truly needs."

"Sounds like you've been through a lot," Vander said, downing his drink. Only those who've lived through the chaos truly understand what Zaun needs. It was clear Sevika was no longer the young woman from his memories, frustrated by his constant compromises and perceived weakness.

Sevika paused, then said softly, "Vander, now that you're back, maybe you could—"

"No, Sevika," Vander shook his head. "These matters are no longer mine to handle."

"Why is it that none of you want to take responsibility?" Sevika's voice wavered. "Are we just going to watch as the ambitions, the dreams, and the Zaun we love sink deeper into the mire?"

"This isn't something one person can fix by stepping up," Link tapped the table, drawing everyone's attention. "The core conflict between Zaun and Piltover lies in the unequal distribution of resources, the rigid class structure, and the imbalance of power."

"The inequality spans everything from social, economic, and transportation resources to even sunlight, air, and water. Piltover takes the lion's share, while Zaun gets the scraps."

"Even if Zaunites manage to make it to the topside, they're marginalized because of their origins. No one invests in them, no families take them in. They're left as outsiders, staring longingly at a prosperity that isn't theirs."

"To fix this—" Link paused, and Sevika leaned in eagerly. "What do we do?"

"Either reform from the top down or revolution from the bottom up."

At this, Sevika seemed to half-understand. Vander was deep in thought, while Jinx appeared indifferent, though her eyes remained fixed on Link, filled with contemplation.

"Whether it's reform or revolution, there will be bloodshed and sacrifice," Link sighed. "Changing the twin cities is like performing a complex surgery. You have to cut away the rot while preserving the healthy body."

"But the problem is, the rot still affects both cities. For Zaun to rise and for the twin cities to coexist peacefully, it's not enough for one person to step up. Everyone, from top to bottom, must work together to change this chaotic, decaying state."

"You make a lot of sense," Sevika exhaled deeply. "But how? The topsiders won't listen to us. They'll treat us like bugs from the trash heap, full of disdain and rejection."

"I have some resources and connections in Piltover that could help," Link said. "But the real issue lies in Zaun."

"As long as Zaun remains divided, as long as people keep fighting over scraps, there's no hope for progress."

"Then we need someone to carry the banner!" Sevika slammed the table. Link nodded. "Exactly, but that someone doesn't have to be a single person."

"It could be you," Link pointed at Sevika, then at Isha. "Or her."

"Or her," Link's finger landed on Jinx. "It could be Vander, or even me."

"It could be anyone who cares about Zaun."

"What matters isn't rebellion—it's unity. Only by uniting can we gain the strength to negotiate with Piltover and restore Zaun to greatness."

"Someone once said—" Link looked at Vander. "We must carve out a future for our children, our friends, and Zaun, even if it means digging riverbeds until our hands are covered in blisters."

Vander smiled, a look of pride, comfort, and satisfaction on his face.

"So—" Link looked at Vander. "For the sacrifices of the older generation."

He turned to Jinx and Sevika. "For your present."

Finally, his gaze settled on Isha. "For their future."

"Unite, and take back what was stolen from the older generation, what was taken from you, and what was robbed from the children. Make Zaun great again, and reunite the twin cities as one."

Link raised his empty glass.

"To riverbeds and blisters!"

A gentle breeze swirled through the bar.

A bluebird perched on the broken jukebox, watching Link surrounded by the group, its eyes filled with warmth.

"For Zaun to rise again and for the twin cities to reconcile, the winds of change will always be with you."

Note: So far this story is published up to chapter 100 on my patreon go take a look and remember if you reach 60 stones of power I will publish the next chapter.